Quiet Time- A School Program Based on Meditation for Promoting Well-Being in Children: Results from a Controlled Investigation
C. Ruini, F. Vescovelli, Maria Facchini, Rossano Maset
European Journal of Psychology and Educational Research March 15, 2023 DOI: 10.12973/ejper.6.1.1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Controlled crossover study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 92 |
| Population | Fourth- and fifth-grade primary school students |
| Measures | Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Education |
| Key points | Children who received the Quiet Time Transcendental Meditation protocol showed fewer emotional and behavioral difficulties on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire than waiting-list children, and the total sample showed overall improvements in strengths and emotional well-being. The authors conclude the school-based protocol is feasible and could be integrated into education to support positive child development. |
Abstract
Various investigations have applied meditation protocols in the school context, with beneficial effects. Transcendental meditation, however, received little attention in primary school settings and few controlled studies are available. The present study is aimed: 1) to investigate the implementation of a school protocol (Quiet Time-QT) based on Transcendental Meditation ™ in a primary school setting 2) to test its efficacy in promoting strengths and resilience in children, using a controlled research, with a cross over design. 92 students attending fourth and fifth class of a primary school were assigned to either the QT intervention, or to a waiting list condition. Children assigned to the waiting list received the QT protocol after few months. Before and after the intervention children were evaluated by their teachers using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA). A Repeated Measures MANOVA was applied to compare the two groups. After the QT intervention children in the experimental condition showed fewer emotional and behavioral difficulties (SDQ) compared to children in the waiting list. An overall positive effect of QT was observed in the total sample in improving children’s strengths and emotional well-being. Participants enjoyed the practice of meditation in the school setting. Conclusions: the results of this controlled investigation showed that the QT school protocol is feasible in the school setting, and it yielded improvements in children’s strengths and well-being. Meditation programs could be easily included in the educational system to sustain children positive development.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 6
- Treating and Preventing Alcohol, Nicotine, and Drug Abuse Through Transcendental Meditation: Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly October 26, 1994
- School-based Meditation Practices for Adolescents: A Resource for Strengthening Self-Regulation, Emotional Coping, and Self-Esteem Children & Schools July 1, 2010
- Effects of Transcendental Meditation in Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study Military Medicine June 1, 2011
- The limited prosocial effects of meditation: A systematic review and meta-analysis Scientific Reports February 5, 2018
- Meditation and mindfulness in clinical practice. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America July 1, 2014
and 1 more in the library